On Tuesday, the 85th day of the current fiscal year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed California’s $143 billion budget. Before signing it, the governor sliced $510 million from the spending plan.

Two programs called vital by AIDS activists were spared cuts: the AIDS Drug Assistance Program and the Therapeutic Monitoring Program. However, some other HIV and AIDS initiatives fared worse.

The pared-down budget:

• Cuts $5 million from HIV prevention services;
< br> • Reduces funding for HIV-related housing assistance, early intervention, and counseling and testing;

• Eliminates entirely a program providing mental health services for people with HIV.